The development of novel materials and the functionalisation of surfaces offer a wide range of technological, scientific and economic opportunities. Advanced and intelligent materials on the base of nanomaterials, composites, polymers or ceramics with tailored properties for target applications are in the focus of this research domain. Such materials do for instance play a major role in the development of new miniaturised sensing devices for various monitoring or tracing applications. State-of-the-art methods for the analysis and characterisation of materials as well as technologies for their industrial production, processing and integration need to be considered, too.